Shock-water column interaction, from initial impact to fragmentation onset

A numerical study of shock wave loading on a cylindrical water column using a new scheme is presented. This scheme can capture gas-liquid interfaces sharply without introducing density diffusion or pressure oscillations. In addition, it can resolve fragments smaller than 1 grid-cell size. Results obtained by employing this new numerical scheme agree well with experimental findings for the water column deformation when hit by planar shock waves for which the Mach numbers were 1.3 and 1.47. In addition, it was possible to observe the onset of fragmentation of the water column, which was positioned at the same location as was done in previous experimental results. In previously published computational fluid dynamics works, only the initial impact of the shock wave with the water column was simulated; therefore, deformation was usually not considered. Finally, results obtained for a Mach 3 shock wave interaction with a water column are discussed. In all results obtained during the current work, stripping breakup occurs, and it was possible to observe the onset of fragmentation. No Rayleigh-Taylor-type oscillations were observed in any cases presented in the current research.